Stormy start to summer

Rain to follow scorching weather in Darling Downs

TEMPERATURES are set to rise again in the Darling Downs next week, after a report that Queensland has experienced its third-warmest spring on record.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s newly released spring report revealed moderate rainfall was recorded nationwide although daytime temperatures soared above average.

Nights were also warm for spring, with Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory all experiencing the mean minimum in the top 10 warmest for spring.

BOM spokeswoman Kimba Wong said rainfall was expected in the Darling Downs today after the unusual heat experienced earlier this week.

“Last week we had westerly winds bringing hot dry weather, but this week will be a lot cooler,” Ms Wong said.

“Today we are expecting a medium chance of showers in the evening.

“There is a chance of isolated thunderstorms that could bring 20-30mm of rain, however we are predicting rainfall of 1mm-2mm for Toowoomba.”

Ms Kimba said the heat would slowly rise as the week finished.

“There is a trough lingering over eastern Queensland that is increasing moisture,” she said.

“A southerly wind change will bring temperatures of 23 degrees for Friday, but this will rise again to 28 degrees at the start of next week.

“As troughs move through we get wind changes ahead of them, which cause the variable weather.”

Ms Wong said the region could expect isolated showers continuing into the weekend.